WEXFORD Equestrian pulled out all the stops to ensure that the TRI Equestrian Interschools competition could run last Sunday despite the best efforts of the weather to spoil the day. All classes ran indoors very efficiently with an early start for the primary classes followed by the novice classes and with the open classes running in the afternoon.

Kilkenny College, represented by Ned Kelly and Fionn’s Fionn, Lucy Simms and Oh Handsome George, Katie Annesley and Maole View Nadine and Martha Dolan with Pippa, were the well deserving winners of the TRI Equestrian Open team event ahead of runners-up the Loreto Wexford team which consisted of Ashley Durack and Joys Limit, Jessie Murphy and Russian Rocket, Caoimhe Murphy and Bally Rue Olympic Lux and Sarah O’Reilly and Ballyboy Le Tang, with St Mary’s New Ross in third place.

The New Ross team consisted of Juniper ridden by Ava Donovan, Tomello ridden by Katie Costello, Smooth Passion Sarco ridden by Ciara Sinnott and Stella partnered by Isabelle Boland. The final league points went to Presentation Thurles, Presentation Wexford and Loreto Kilkenny.

The TRI Equestrian Individual classes were hotly contested and the winner of the 1m open individual was Joy Limit ridden by Ashley Durack for Loreto Wexford, posting a zero score in a time of 42.14 seconds with fellow student Keira Crowther on Tomoka Stops in second and Eva McGrath for Wesley College on Bennett of Kilshane in third. The remaining individual league points went to Caoimhe Murphy, Lily Gallagher and Sarah O’Reilly.

Close challenge

The TRI Equestrian Premier 1.10m qualifier was won by Stella ridden by Isabelle Boland for St Mary’s New Ross. She saw off a very close challenge from Kilkenny College pupil Martha Dolan on Pippa, who took second and Grace Ormonde riding Redinagh Razzle Dazzle from Presentation Kilkenny in third. The final qualifier slots went to Russian Rocket and Jess Murphy from Loreto Wexford, Mon Beg Candy and Amber Thompson representing Presentation Thurles and Ashley Durack and Joy Limit for Loreto Wexford.

The first qualifier for the Equieire 90cm final had 20 starters and time decided the class with Jack Jones and Cojo Rojo from St Peter’s Wexford posting the fastest time, pipping Dearbhla Sheehan from Borris VBS riding Montezuma into second, followed by Newbridge College’s Ellen Mooney on Blackwoodland Buzzard in third. Rosemary Dundon on Killags Foxy Lady, Darragh O’Brien and Hedge Sparrow and Holly Gee and KLS Bumble were fourth, fifth and sixth. All of these combinations qualify for the final.

The popular EII novice team class was won by Borris CS represented by Sock Monster ridden by Harry Griffith, Montezuma ridden by Dearbhla Sheehan, Coppenagh Otto ridden by Ella Kidd and last but not least Hedge Sparrow ridden Darragh O’ Brien.

The team from Tullow Community School, Caitlyn Byrne, Una Farrell, Lauren Kehoe and Caitlyn Tobin took second with Loreto Wexford’s Sarah Cousins, Leah Murphy, Aoife Crean and Eryn O’Reilly in third.

The 80cm individual class was won by Kate Jones from Loreto Wexford riding Cojo Rojo ahead of fellow pupil, Judy Sinnott on Rosie. Faye Howlin, also from Loreto Wexford on Tricky Stephen was third.

The primary teams competition had a local feel with schools from all around the area turning out to compete and team Rathangan, Willow ridden by Gracie Kelly, Darby ridden by Freya Barry, Gracie ridden by Millie Bates Doyle and Lookout Atlantic Charm ridden by Austin Murphy claimed the red rosettes with Kilmore NS in second and Mayglass NS in third.

Most of these competitors also contested the two primary individual classes and Ruby Cousins, riding Bluebell, from local School Kilmore was the winner of the EII 75cm league class followed by Rathangan’s Freya Barry and Ollie and Charlotte Boland with Ringo Star in third. The 55cm class went to Rathangan’s Gracie Kelly riding Willow. Hazel Slattery and Coco took second Buffy and Cora Goff was third.

Wesley College host the TRI Equestrian Interschools league this weekend in CoilÓg and the action then moves to Westmeath where Mullingar EC are the hosts on October 8th.